be struck

USAGE SUMMARY

"be struck" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is the present tense passive form of the verb "strike," meaning to hit or to be affected by something. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a physical blow, an emotional impact, or a realization. Example: During the storm, the tree was struck by lightning and split in half. Example: She was struck by the sudden realization that she had been lied to. Example: The country was struck by a devastating earthquake, leaving thousands homeless.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bargains must be struck.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it still needs to be struck.

The Economist

But such bargains cannot be struck unilaterally.

The Economist

Yet a balance must be struck.

The Economist

Still, a deal should be struck.

The Economist

"They would all be struck by lightning".

The New York Times

There is a balance to be struck.

The Economist

But a balance has to be struck.

The Guardian

The wide-bottom end should be struck.

The New York Times

The match has yet to be struck".

The New York Times

That he be struck dead?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be struck" to describe a realization, ensure the context clearly indicates a sudden or impactful understanding. For instance, "She was struck by the simplicity of the solution" conveys a more immediate comprehension than "She understood the solution".

Common error

Avoid using "be struck" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The car was struck by him," use "He struck the car" to maintain clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be struck" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase. It is used to indicate that a subject is the recipient of an action, rather than the performer. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction follows standard grammar rules and is commonly used to describe physical or emotional impact, or sudden realization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be struck" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase that indicates a subject being impacted by an action or event. According to Ludwig AI, its passive voice construction effectively conveys physical, emotional, or cognitive impacts. Our analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that the phrase is predominantly used in News & Media and Science contexts, highlighting its neutral register and widespread applicability. While alternatives like "be affected" or "be impressed" can offer similar meanings, "be struck" uniquely captures the sense of immediacy and forcefulness. Remember to use it accurately to avoid passive voice misuse and enrich your writing effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be affected

Focuses on the impact or influence received, rather than a direct hit or realization.

be impacted

Similar to 'be affected', but often implies a more significant or forceful influence.

be impressed

Specifically refers to making a positive impression or admiration, a more specific type of being affected.

be moved

Highlights emotional influence or a change in feeling, different from physical impact.

be afflicted

Implies suffering or being burdened by something negative, rather than a neutral impact.

be smitten

Suggests sudden infatuation or love, a specific emotional reaction, quite different from general impact.

be seized

Implies a sudden taking control, can refer to both physical and emotional experiences, shares similarity with surprise.

be dawned on

Refers to the realization of something, can imply an important idea suddenly appearing

be apprehended

Focuses on understanding, not on impact or emotion, which has a clear deviation in meaning

experience

This is the most generic alternative, so the link with the main phrase is very generic

FAQs

How can I use "be struck" in a sentence?

The phrase "be struck" can be used to describe being physically hit, emotionally impacted, or suddenly realizing something. For example, "The city was "be struck" by a hurricane", "He was "be struck" by her beauty", or "She was "be struck" by a sudden idea".

What are some alternatives to "be struck"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be affected", "be impacted", or "be impressed".

Is it correct to say "be strike" instead of "be struck"?

No, "be strike" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "be struck", which is the past participle of the verb "strike" used in passive constructions.

What is the difference between "be struck by" and "be impressed by"?

"Be struck by" typically implies a sudden or forceful impact, while "be impressed by" suggests admiration or a positive reaction. For instance, you might "be struck by" a surprising fact, but "be impressed by" someone's skill.